The crowd was the fourth-largest to watch a
game in Jonesboro in ASU history and marked the home debut of first-year head
coach Gus Malzahn. The Red Wolves 619 yards of total offense was their most
against an FBS opponent since recording a school-record 681 yards against
Louisiana-Lafayette in 2007. ASU
also ran 97 offensive plays on the night, the most since the team had 98
against Southwestern Louisiana(now
Louisiana-Lafayette)in 1975.

ASU rallied from a 14-3 deficit behind a
strong effort from running back David Oku. The junior ran for 130 yards on 25
carries, including the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter with 6:31 left
in the game. The victory was ASU’s seventh consecutive home victory and its
ninth straight victoryinhome openers.

“I’m very proud of our team,” Malzahn said.
“Our defense was playing well and we found ourselves behind, but I was very
proud of the way they responded. I told them that’s the heart of a champion.”

ASU outscored Memphis 16-7 in the second
half and took its first lead of the game when Frankie Jackson scored on a
1-yard touchdown with 7:59 left in the third quarter. The score capped a
13-play, 89-yard drive for the Red Wolves.

Memphis took the lead back when Wynton
McManis recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to give the Tigers a 28-24
edge. ASU cut into the Memphis lead on its next drive when Brian Davis
connected on a 25-yard field goal to pull A-State within 28-27.

The Tigers missed an opportunity to extend
their lead on their next drive when Paul Henriques missed a 25-yard field goal.
ASU took advantage of the opportunity and marched 80-yards in nine plays and
scored on Oku’s game-winning touchdown run.

The Red Wolves fell behind early in the
first quarter when Memphis tookitsopening drive 77yards for a touchdown. ASU responded
with a 23-yard field goal from Davis on its opening drive to cut the Tigers’
lead to 7-3.

Tevin
Jones helped Memphis push the lead to 14-3 when he recoveredablocked
punt inASU’s end zone. Jackson
helped ASU pull within 14-10 with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:56 left in the
first half, but the Tigers quickly pushed the lead to 21-10 Jacob Karam
connected with Keiwone Malone for a 41-yard touchdown.

“A lot of teamswould have packed it up because that’s
a tough deal to overcome,” Malzahn said. “I’m very proud of the way our defense
played and very proud of how we finished the game offensively.”

Senior quarterbackRyan Aplintossed his only touchdown pass with
3:18 left in the second quarter on a 42-yard pass to Josh Jarboe to cut the
Memphis lead to 21-17. Aplin finished the night 23-of-43 for 302 yards. He also
added 73 rushing yards to finish with 375 yards of total offense, which is the
eighth most in school history.

Jarboe finished six receptions for 101
yards, while J.D. McKissic had 99 yards receiving on eight catches. Freshman
Rocky Hayes ran for 68 yards on four carries, while Jackson added 34 yards on
14 carries and two touchdowns.

Defensively for ASU, Ryan Carrethers led
the team with 10 tackles, while Tim Starson recorded the game’s only sack.The Red Wolves held the Memphis
offense to 293 yards, the fewest by an ASU opponent since FAU recorded just 281
last season.

The Red Wolves will return to action Sept.
15 when theytravel to Lincoln,
Neb. for a matchup with 16th-ranked Nebraska. Kickoff against the
Huskers is scheduled for 11 a.m.,and
the game will be televised by ESPN2.